Professor David McCuan discusses "Lunch with Bugs: The Elegant Simplicity of BioTerrorism" from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Stevenson 2011 at Sonoma State University.
This talk builds on research and training received over two summers where McCuan studied and conducted research concerning the rise of biological warfare and terrorism.
The talk examines questions such as:
What happens when norms of international conduct breakdown?
What are the risks if these norms disappear?
During the post-9/11 era, what new threats have replaced past
patterns of conflict and political violence?
This discussion revolves around the emerging threat and broader context of BioWarfare (BW) and the threat of BioTerrorism (BT). There are plenty of learned analysts and organizations concerned with the threat of some kind of mass casualty event. How realistic is the threat of BW attack? Is this much ado about nothing? How appealing are BW weapons to terror groups?
The main point of the discussion is that a BT/BW threat represents an “Event of Low Probability but High Consequence,” and has a distinct advantage over the employ of other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) – type attacks.
He says "while we conceive of warfare as a means seeks to conquer territories and capture cities and resources, the threat of BT/BW is such that this type of terrorism seeks to kill some, hurt still more, and yet scare many in order to make a point. "
The “value” of BT/BW as an avenue for terror groups to exploit is best captured by the words of the famous film director, Alfred Hitchcock, commenting on his own methods of film production: “Putting the horror in the minds of the audience, and not necessarily on the screen.” This remains the elegantly simple appeal of using BT/BW strategies for terror groups, says McCuan
While BT/BW is not a new threat, nor highly likely, the elegant appeal and simplicity of a BT/BW threat by terror groups presents an opportunity to study the rationale, motivations, and learning ability of how terror organizations are able to adapt their thinking in a rational way, he says.
McCuan is an Associate Professor of Political Science who comments regularly on the various dimensions of terrorism and security.
On the issue of piracy and maritime terrorism, he speaks to the general impact of terror on the high seas to groups while relating the unique dynamics of the high seas and seaport environments.
He is especially interested in topics related to the bioterrorism threat of seagoing trade and transport through the supply chain and through containerized cargo.
His training and expertise in the subject were gained as a result of work at the California Maritime Academy where he was a professor for four years working on maritime security and trade issues and also through participation, lectures, and research in advanced training on terrorism and security.
These trainings occurred at The National Security Law Institute at the University of Virginia, The Summer Workshop on the Teaching of Terrorism (SWOTT) at the College of William and Mary, and at The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), Washington, D.C. and Israel / West Bank.
